Team Leader [Track Maintenance]

Network Rail; Manchester; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading railway infrastructure company is seeking a Team Leader to oversee essential track maintenance in Manchester. You will lead a dedicated team, ensuring high standards of safety and efficiency in operations. The role involves both outdoor work and leadership responsibilities, requiring knowledge of track inspection and maintenance techniques. Benefits include a competitive salary of £43,997, pro-rata annual leave, and various employee perks. The position requires flexibility in working hours and a commitment to safety standards.

Benefits

28 days annual leave

Discounted rail and underground season tickets

75% discount on leisure travel

Contributory pension schemes

Qualifications

• Able to work as part of a team and lead a team.
• Experience in track inspection, faulting, maintenance, and renewal.
• Must hold relevant competencies.
• Willingness to drive vehicles as needed.
• Able to work outdoors in all weather types.

Responsibilities

• Direct, organise, and motivate a high-performing team.
• Establish safety arrangements for tasks.
• Control quality of work and competence of team members.
• Ensure maintenance standards and safety of equipment.

Skills

Team leadership

Track inspection

Faulting and maintenance techniques

Safety compliance

Organizational skills

Job description

Location

Manchester, GB

About Network Rail

Network Rail operates and maintains the railway infrastructure 24/7 365 days a year. Our purpose is to connect people and goods with where they need to be and our vision is for a simpler, better, greener railway.

We're proud to be named as one of the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equity for the fourth year running. Find out more from our people here.

Our North West route covers Cheshire to Cumbria, including key cities like Liverpool and Manchester, and destinations such as Blackpool and the Lake District. Major stations include Crewe, Liverpool Lime Street, Preston, and Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria.

This busy region sees 1.3 million daily passengers and moves 700,000 tonnes of freight weekly, with 571 stations making up a quarter of Britain's rail network.

In the North West & Central Region, we’re proud to be building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We know that inclusive teams make better decisions, drive innovation, and help us create a safer, more accessible railway for everyone.

Even if you don’t meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply.

We’re committed to creating an open, supportive environment where everyone feels they belong.

Your unique perspective and experience could be exactly what we need to keep Britain moving safely and sustainably.

Discover more about our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail.

Brief Description

Maintaining the rail network is a key part of what we do every day. As a railway Team Leader, you'll work outdoors as part of a close‑knit team, carrying out essential maintenance on the tracks to ensure trains run safely and reliably for both passengers and freight.

From establishing safety arrangements to checking the quality of work, you'll direct and inspire the success of a team involved in everything from inspection and faulting, through to maintenance and renewal.

Please note: There may be a requirement to work on call in this role if you opt to take the Standard Maintenance Contract.

The Role

Team Leader – In this role we'll look to you to direct, organise and motivate a high‑performing team as well as liaise with the management teams and other department/companies. From inspection and faulting through to maintenance and renewal, you'll play a hands‑on role.

You’ll make sure everything is done efficiently and to the relevant standards and controls. You’ll have experience of establishing the relevant safety arrangements for the tasks and make sure Network Rail staff and contractors alike follow safe systems of work. Proactively controlling and checking the quality of work and the competence of your people, you’ll see to it that assets are fully compliant to the maintenance standards and all vehicles, plant, tools, equipment and materials are safe and fit for purpose.

Key Requirements

• Able to work as part of a team / able to lead, motivate and direct a team
• Knowledge and experience of track inspection, faulting, maintenance and renewal techniques
• Hold and retain competencies relevant to this post, required by business need
• Able and willing to drive vehicles as required by business need
• Be willing to work outdoors in all weather types at any time of the day
• Experience of organising and controlling the safe and efficient delivery of work
• Desire to always improve yourself and make things better

Commute times – You’ll also need to be within a 60‑minute commute of the location that you’re applying for.

This role involves days, nights and weekend working, and is a safety critical role so subject to drug and alcohol testing and passing of the relevant medical assessment.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary: £43,997 plus additional benefits (overtime, weekend, on‑call, night rates)
• Pro‑rate annual leave entitlement (28 days)
• My benefits – our discounted online shopping site
• A range of discounted offers including childcare vouchers, healthcare offers – cycle to work, healthcare club discounted membership and other benefits
• Subsidies of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets
• 75% discount on leisure travel
• A choice of contributory pension schemes
• 2 weeks paid reserve leave for our Armed Forces community

Want to find out about what fantastic benefits we offer? Find out here.

Network Rail adheres to a structured pay framework, any salary offered will be within the pay range advertised.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre‑employment checks. Click here for more information.

Closing date: 2nd February 2026. Assessment Centres will take place in February 2026. We reserve the right to close the advert early if there is a high number of applicants.

Safe Behaviour

Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision.

We will endeavour to offer a diverse interview panel wherever possible.

You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments or modifications, please add a note to your application.

• Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.